Adam Beechey and Dean Crosswell's quest to win a third consecutive Ashley Cooper Memorial Commodore Cup Trophy has gotten off to the best possible start at Winton Motor Raceway today.
The Donut King-backed drivers took out the first of the weekend's two 30 lap encounters, completing the journey almost 15s clear of second-placed Matt Hayes and Nick Parker.
Parker secured the runner-up spot by holding out a charging Geoff Emery in the closing stages.
Emery, sharing with category stalwart Ross McGregor, eventually took third, while the entries of Chris Stevenson/Brett Holdsworth and Jordan Symes/Steve Courtis completed the slim field.
Today's action at the Shannons Nationals also included qualifying sessions for the Dial Before You Dig Australian Saloon Car Series and Hi-Tec Oils Australian Swift Racing Series.
Holden driver Simon Tabinor will start tomorrow's Saloon Car opener from pole having proven 0.45s quicker than Ford rival Matt Lovell.
Both drivers set their fastest times in the first of the two sessions, before local racer Matthew Palmer disrupted the afternoon's running by rolling his Commodore at the final corner.
Swift qualifying saw the eight-car field covered by 1.3s, with Reece Murphy scoring pole by just 0.0631s from Damien Ward.
Both the Saloon Car and Swift Series will contest three races tomorrow.